Joe Metheny

Personal Background

• Name: Joseph Roy Metheny
• Born: March 2, 1955, in Baltimore, Maryland
• Died: August 5, 2017, at Western Correctional Institution, Cumberland, Maryland
• Family Background:
  • Father was an alcoholic, died in a car accident when Metheny was six.
  • Claimed mother neglected him; she worked multiple jobs but denied neglect.
  • Metheny alleged foster-like arrangements; his mother refuted this.
  • His mother described him as a polite, above-average student.
• Military Service:
  • Joined the U.S. Army in 1973.
  • Claimed service in Vietnam, unverified; served in Germany according to mother.
  • Allegedly developed drug addiction during military service.

Criminal Activity

Overview

• Convictions: Murder, kidnapping, rape
• Criminal Penalty: Initially sentenced to death; commuted to life imprisonment.
• Victims: Claimed 13; convicted for 2 murders, 3 more later confirmed.
• Span of Crimes: 1976-1996
• Date Apprehended: December 15, 1996

Murder Timeline

• 1994: Murdered Cathy Ann Magaziner; buried body at work site.
• 1995: Allegedly killed Randall Brewer and Randy Piker; insufficient evidence for conviction.
• 1996: Murdered Kimberly Lynn Spicer; attempted to kidnap and rape Rita Kemper.
  • Kemper escaped and reported to police, leading to Metheny’s arrest.

Confessions

• Confessed to multiple murders, including Magaziner.
• Led police to graves; some bodies thrown into the Patapsco River.
• Described victims typically as young white sex workers, often addicts.
• Expressed no remorse, described killings as enjoyable.

Legal Proceedings

• 1997: 50-year sentence for kidnapping and attempted sexual assault of Rita Kemper.
  • Acquitted of attempted murder.
• 1998: Death sentence for Spicer’s murder, later overturned to life without parole.
• Plea Deals: Pled guilty in Magaziner case; sentenced to life imprisonment.

Death and Legacy

• Found dead in prison cell in 2017 at age 62.
• Inspired a series of survival horror games titled "Mr. Meat" by Keplerians.

Additional Information

• Drug and alcohol abuse heavily influenced his behavior and violence.
• Described by peers as intelligent, well-spoken, and well-mannered despite substance abuse and criminal activities.

Related Lists

• Lists include serial killers by victim count and location (United States).